EP2488826B1 - Laser alignment device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laser alignment device (1), comprising holding means (2) for holding a laser and alignment means (3) for adjusting the holding means (2). According to the invention, the holding means (2) comprise a torsion body (4) and pulling and/or pushing means (15) by means of which at least two sections of the torsion body (4) can be deformed relative to each other by the application of a force such that the torsion body (4) can be twisted about an imaginary alignment axis (17).

Description

The invention relates to a laser alignment device according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising holding means for holding a laser and alignment means for adjusting the holding means. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a torsion body and of tension and / or pressure means for adjusting a, preferably held in holding means, laser and an adjustment method for adjusting a held in holding means laser according to claim 16.

Up to now, lasers in the industrial sector have been aligned by means of alignment devices in which the holding means holding the laser are adjusted by means of knurled screws relative to a rigid holding device. Frequently, known laser alignment devices include linear units for linear adjustment of the holding means. Such Laserausrichtvorrichtungen are costly and the achievable vibration safety to avoid unintentional misalignment is in great need of improvement.

From the JP 2006/138970 A For example, a laser alignment device is known for adjusting a laser held in holding means of this device. The holding means comprise a body and screws with which two portions of the body are deformed by applying force relative to each other so that the body is bendable about an imaginary alignment axis.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, the present invention seeks to provide an alternative, simple design and inexpensive to provide laser alignment, which is preferably characterized by increased vibration safety and reproducible adjustability. Furthermore, the object is to provide a simplified alignment method (adjustment method).

This object is achieved with regard to the laser alignment device with the features of claim 1 or by a use according to claim 15. With regard to the method, the object is achieved with the features of claim 16. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. To avoid repetition Devices disclosed in accordance with the invention shall be deemed to be disclosed as methods according to the claims and be claimable. Likewise, according to the method disclosed features should be considered as device disclosed and claimed claimable.

In a departure from known laser alignment devices with costly linear units, a laser alignment device designed according to the concept of the invention provides a torsion body which can be twisted with the aid of traction and / or pressure means about an imaginary alignment axis, preferably elastically. Particularly preferably, the torsion body is designed such that it has a described by the physicist Hook linear-elastic behavior. The Hooke's law describes the elastic behavior of solids whose elastic deformation is proportional to the applied load. This behavior is particularly typical of metals at relatively low loads. Due to the provision of a torsionable by means of tensile and / or pressure means body can be dispensed with the costly linear units for fine adjustment of lasers, whereby the total costs are significantly reduced compared to known devices. In addition, the provision of a comparatively rigid torsion body ensures good vibration safety (protection against misalignment due to vibrations), in particular in an embodiment to be explained later with pressure and / or traction means which can be adjusted from two different directions on a middle section.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of fine adjustment of the laser to provide in itself, in particular elastically, twistable in torsion body, which, as will be explained later, preferably formed integrally with the holding means or alternatively firmly connected to the holding means, in such, that a torsion of the torsion body has a, preferably rotational, adjustment movement of the holding means and thus of the laser. It is particularly advantageous if the torsion body can be connected to the tension and / or pressure means in such a way that a rotation of the torsion body about the alignment axis from an angular range between at least 0.5 ° and 1.5 °, preferably between 0.5 ° and 3.0 ° in at least or exclusively a torsional direction, preferably in two opposite torsional directions is possible. As will be explained later, the holding means are preferably arranged in such a way that a preferably rod-shaped laser held therein can be pivoted about an axis oriented perpendicular to the laser beam axis.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the device in which the alignment axis (Tordierachse) is arranged at an angle to a laser beam direction of the laser-determining holding axis. Preferably, the alignment axis, at least approximately perpendicular to a laser beam direction of a held in the holding means laser.

The alignment axis preferably coincides with a longitudinal axis of the torsion body.

In a further development of the invention is advantageously provided that the tension and / or pressure means are arranged such that with these torsion on the one hand twistable and on the other hand with appropriate actuation of the tension and / or pressure means is deformable such that the holding means in parallel are adjustable. Under parallel adjustable is understood that a preferably coincident with a laser beam axis or parallel to this, holding axis is displaced parallel by a corresponding adjustment of the tension and / or pressure means. This can be achieved for example by the provision of two, in particular eccentric, with respect to the alignment axis, arranged adjusting screws, the two portions of the torsion relative to each other so adjust (deform) that the desired parallel displacement results. In this case, the torsion body can preferably be deflected by at least 1.0 mm, more preferably by at least 1.5 mm, even more preferably by at least 3.0 mm, in at least or only one direction, preferably in two opposite directions. If only one of the two set screws is actuated, instead of a parallel displacement of the laser held in the holding means, a torsion of the torsion body results and thus a pivoting of a laser beam axis about a preferably perpendicular to this oriented (imaginary) pivot axis.

In order to obtain an elastically twistable, the Hooke's law obeying torsion, it is particularly preferred if it is made of metal, for example of an aluminum alloy, wherein the at least two relatively adjustable or by means of the tension and / or pressure means with a train - or compressive force acted upon sections via a recess in the, preferably one-piece (one-piece) torsion are spaced from each other. In order to achieve a preferably elastic torsion of the torsion about an imaginary alignment axis (Tordierachse), it is particularly preferred if the tensile and / or pressure means on at least one of these relative to each other adjustable portions outside of the alignment axis receiving plane attack, where at this level is preferably a symmetry axis of the torsion. Essential is the arrangement of at least one tensile and / or pressure medium with radial distance to the alignment axis. In order not to twist the body by means of the tension and / or pressure means about the aforementioned alignment axis, but alternatively to be able to deform so that a parallel displacement of the retaining means results, it is preferred if on both sides of the aforementioned plane, in particular the plane of symmetry , in particular equally spaced, in each case a tensile and / or pressure medium, for example in the form of a screw, preferably by uniform adjustment of both tension and / or pressure means (in the same direction) a parallel displacement and by adjusting only one of the train and / or pressure medium or varying degrees of adjustment of the two tension and / or pressure means is a torsion of the torsion. In other words, tensile and / or pressure means are preferably provided on two sides of the alignment axis (in each case spaced therefrom).

As already indicated above, it is particularly expedient if the tensioning and / or pressure means comprise at least one screw element, wherein it is particularly preferred if a total of more than one screw element is provided. With regard to the arrangement or type of interacting the at least one screw element with the at least two relatively deformable sections, there are different possibilities. It is particularly useful if the screw is held in a first of the sections in a corresponding thread, preferably an internal thread. The power transmission to this first section is thus preferably via the thread. With regard to the interaction with the other (second) section, there are different alternatives. According to a first alternative, the screw member is preferably supported on an outer surface of the second portion, in which case only compressive forces can be transmitted. According to an alternative embodiment, the screw element engages in a thread of the second section, so that alternatively tensile or compressive forces are transmitted, whereby the force transmission to the second section takes place via the thread.

As also already stated, it is particularly expedient if a total of not only a single screw element is provided, but at least two screw elements, very particularly preferably a total of four screw elements. To be particularly advantageous, it has been found to ensure the finest possible adjustability, when a total of three, preferably at Nichtkraftbeaufschlagung by the tension and / or pressure means parallel, relatively adjustable sections are provided, preferably a middle of the sections sandwiched between the outer is arranged to the middle section spaced sections. It is even more preferable if the middle section is designed as a type of tongue, that is to say has a free end. It is ideal if the middle section of two sides facing away from each other with the help of trained in particular as screw tension and / or pressure means compressive and tensile force is acted upon, preferably a total of four screw elements are provided and / or two opposing screw in Axial direction aligned with each other. Such a construction is particularly secured against loosening of the screws by vibrations, since the tension and / or pressure elements, in particular the screw elements by jamming are secured almost automatically from the opposite side, whereby a release by vibrations is very unlikely.

It is particularly expedient if the sections of the torsion body which are adjustable relative to one another with the aid of the tension and / or pressure means are integrally formed and are spaced apart from one another by at least one recess, wherein it is particularly preferred even in the case of providing a plurality of sections which are adjustable relative to one another when all sections are spaced apart from each other via a common recess. In the case of the provision of three sections which can be adjusted relative to one another, this can be realized, for example, by a U-shaped recess which extends around a free end of the middle section and preferably has two, at least approximately, preferably exactly parallel legs.

As already explained, there are different possibilities with regard to the specific arrangement of the holding means relative to the torsion body. In order to achieve minimized costs and a minimized assembly time, it is preferred if the holding means are formed integrally with the torsion body, that is to say made of a block, in particular a metal block. Alternatively, it is conceivable that torsion bodies and holding means each provide a contact surface on which the holding means can be applied to the torsion body and immovable thereto, i. are rigidly fixed, such that a torsion of the torsion body has a pivoting of the holding means about the imaginary alignment axis result.

In a further development of the invention is advantageously provided that the laser alignment device in addition to the tensile and / or pressure means for twisting the torsion about the imaginary alignment axis comprises bending means with which the torsion is elastically bendable about an angle, preferably perpendicular, extending to the alignment axis bending axis. In other words, the laser alignment device preferably comprises bending means designed as tension and / or pressure means with which the torsion body elastically cooperates with the tensile and / or pressure means arranged in or on the torsion body can be elastically bent about a bending axis in order to thus offer a further degree of freedom in the adjustment of the holding means and thus of the laser beam axis. The bending means are preferably designed in such a way that two sections of the one-piece torsion body can be subjected to tensile and / or pressure, in particular in a region spaced from the imaginary bending axis, in order to achieve a bending of the torsion body about the imaginary bending axis. In this case, the bending means are preferably designed such that the bending dimension is infinitely adjustable.

In this case, an embodiment in which the bending axis runs both at right angles to the alignment axis and at right angles to the holding axis extending perpendicular to the alignment axis, which preferably indicates the laser beam direction or which preferably coincides with a longitudinal center axis of a laser held in the holding means.

It is particularly expedient if the bending means, at least in sections, are arranged in a region along the alignment axis between the tensioning and / or pressure means for twisting the torsion body and fixing means for fixing the device, for example on a stand, etc. In this way, the tension and / or pressure means can pivot together with the holding means about the bending axis. Also conceivable is an arrangement axially between the tension and / or pressure means and the holding means.

With regard to the concrete execution of the bending means, there are different possibilities. Preferably, these are designed such that they are at least partially arranged in a recess, preferably enforce them. Preferably, mutually opposite side walls of the recess towards each other and / or away from each other are adjustable by means of a nut-threaded rod combination, wherein for mutually away adjusting the side walls are preferably arranged in the recess two screwed in opposite axial directions nuts on a threaded rod. Preference is given in one of the aforementioned, preferably groove-like, Recess adjacent recess (recess) arranged an additional nut so as not only push away the side walls of each other, but also to be able to attract each other. It is particularly expedient if means are provided to prevent co-rotation of the threaded rod, when the torsion body is subjected to bending by turning a nut. In principle, it is possible to fix the threaded rod, for example by gluing, rotationally fixed to the torsion body. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the threaded rod for non-rotatable mounting is associated with a lock nut, which is even more preferably with a nut for stressing the torsion on bending, in particular for pushing apart two sections of the torsion in a common recess.

The invention also leads to a laser system, i. a formed according to the concept of the invention Laserausrichtvorrichtung with a held by the holding means, in particular rod-shaped laser, wherein an emitted laser defines a laser beam direction or laser beam axis, which preferably extends at an angle, in particular perpendicular to the alignment axis (torsion axis) of the torsion.

In addition, the invention leads to the use of a torsion body as well as tension and / or pressure means for aligning (fine adjustment) of a, preferably held in holding means, laser, wherein the torsion body has at least two sections, with the aid of the tension and / or pressure means such kraftbeaufschlagbar are that a torsion of the torsion body results around an imaginary alignment axis.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

Fig. 1 bis 4

klapprichtige Darstellungen einer bevorzugten einteiligen Ausführungsform einer Laserausrichtvorrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Laserausrichtvorrichtung, bei der zusätzlich zu Zug- und/oder Druckmitteln (Tordiermitteln) Biegemittel zum elastischen Biegen des Torsionskörpers vorgesehen sind, wobei die Biegemittel, ebenso wie die Tordiermittel aus Übersichtlichkeitsgründen nicht eingezeichnet sind, und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 5, wobei dort sowohl die Tordiermittel als auch die Biegemittel dargestellt sind.

These show in:

Fig. 1 to 4

pertinent representations of a preferred one-piece embodiment of a laser alignment device,

Fig. 5

an alternative embodiment of a laser alignment device, are provided in addition to tensile and / or pressure means (twisting means) bending means for elastic bending of the torsion body, wherein the bending means, as well as the twisting means are not shown for clarity, and

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the embodiment according to Fig. 5 , where both the twisting means and the bending means are shown there.

In the figures, like elements and elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the Fig. 1 to 4 a laser alignment device 1 is shown. This includes holding means 2, which are formed in the embodiment shown for clamping holding a preferably cylindrical, rod-shaped laser, not shown. In addition to the holding means 2, the laser alignment device 1 comprises alignment means 3 for fine adjustment of the laser or the holding means. The alignment means 3 in turn comprise a torsion body 4 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is formed integrally from a metal block with a clamping body 5 or clamping section of the holding means 2. The holding means 2 define a holding axis 6 (longitudinal axis of the holding means), which coincides with a rod-shaped laser with a laser beam direction 7 or laser beam axis or is aligned parallel thereto. An unillustrated laser can be inserted along the holding axis 6 in the clamping body 5, whereupon with the aid of clamping screws not shown, a clamping between the laser housing and the clamping body 5 is generated.

For this purpose, the clamping screws in the illustrations according to the Fig. 1 and 2 screwed in from the right in the drawing plane in the drawing plane left into a corresponding, provided in a front (inner) portion with internal thread 8 openings 9. To achieve the clamping effect of the clamping body 5 is designed slotted, wherein the slot is penetrated by the clamping screws for varying the slot width.

In the illustrated embodiment, the torsion body 4 comprises a total of three relatively adjustable portions, namely a first portion 10, a second portion 11 and a third portion 12, wherein the second portion 11 is centrally located between the outer two sections 10, 12. It can be seen that the sections 10, 11, 12 are formed integrally with each other, and the middle, second section 11 is formed as a kind of tongue and the drawing plane according to Fig. 1 on the right comprises a free end 13. The sections 11, 12, 13 are spaced from each other by a common, here U-shaped recess 14, which was introduced, for example, by machining or, if appropriate, with the aid of a laser beam in the metal block forming the torsion body.

With the aid of merely indicated tension and / or pressure means 15, here in the form of screw elements 16, the torsion body 4 can be twisted about an alignment axis 17 (Tordierachse), wherein in the embodiment shown, the alignment axis 17 is perpendicular to the support axis 6 of the holding means 2 ,

As can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 2 results, both in the first section 10 and in the second section 12, two spaced-apart internal thread 18 are provided, with which the screw 16 are screwed. In each case, an internal thread 18 is aligned in the first section with an internal thread 18 in the second section, so that a total of two pairs of internal threads are provided. As it turned out Fig. 2 results, the internal threads are arranged radially offset from the alignment axis 17, in the embodiment shown in each case uniformly spaced from this. The screwed with the internal threads 18, only indicated Screw elements 16 are based in the axial direction on the middle, second section 11 and can apply this to a compressive force and deform, so that a torsion of the torsion body 4 about the alignment axis 17 can be achieved depending on the adjustment of the tension and / or pressure means.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the screw elements 16 engage in internal threads of the second section 11. It is not necessary, however, preferably, to provide a total of three sections 10, 11, 12, in principle, the provision of two, preferably via a recess spaced sections in the torsion to effect the desired rotation of the holding means 2 and the laser or the laser direction 7 about the alignment axis 17 from.

As can be seen in particular from the representation. Fig. 1, 2 and 3 Fixing means 19 in the form of internal thread openings in the torsion body 4 are provided parallel to the alignment axis 17, with which the laser alignment device 1 can be fixed to a suitable holding device, the holding device, not shown, preferably comprising means for coarse alignment of the laser alignment device 1.

With the help of the tension and / or pressure means 15, torsion of the torsion body 4 about the alignment axis 17 does not necessarily have to be achieved. If, for example, both screw elements 16 held together in one of the sections 10, 12 are uniformly displaced, torsion of the torsion body 4 does not result around the alignment axis 17, which simultaneously represents a longitudinal axis of the torsion body 4, but rather the laser beam direction 7 or the holding axis 6 moved in parallel.

In the following, the embodiment of a laser alignment device according to the Fig. 5 and 6 explained, to avoid repetition essentially only to the differences from the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 4 will be received. With regard to the similarities is on the Fig.1 to 4 with associated figure description referenced.

Like that Fig. 5 and 6 it can be seen, the construction of the twisting means agrees with the previously explained embodiment. In contrast to the above embodiment, the torsion body 4 is elastically bendable about an (additional) bending axis 20, wherein the bending axis 20 in an initial state, in which no bending is given by the tension and pressure means 15, perpendicular to the alignment axis 17 extends as well as at right angles It is also an alternative arrangement conceivable in which the bending axis 20 extends parallel to the holding axis 6.

How out Fig. 6 can be seen, the tension and / or pressure means 15 for twisting the torsion 4 a total of four recorded in each case an internal thread 18 of the torsion 4 screw 16, which are supported with their shaft ends on the previously described second section 11 (middle section).

As it turned out Fig. 6 results, are axially between the fixing means 19 and the tension and / or pressure means 15 for twisting the torsion 4 bending means 21, which are sections in a recess 22. It can be seen that the depth extent of the recess 22 is greater than half the thickness of the torsion body 4, so as to allow a comparatively facilitated elastic bending of the one-piece torsion body 4.

The recess 22 is formed as a laterally open groove which extends transversely to the alignment axis 17. Parallel to the alignment axis 17, the recess 22 is penetrated by a threaded rod 23, on which a total of three nuts, 24, 25, 26 (female thread elements) sit. Two of the nuts 24, 25 are located with axial distance within the recess 22. The nut 24 has the function of a lock nut to prevent rotation of the threaded rod upon rotation of one of the other nut 25, 26. The nut 25 can thus against a side wall 28 are rotated, that the two opposite side walls 27, 28 are pressurized, whereby the spaced apart from the recess 22 axial portions of the torsion 4 are bent about the bending axis 20 elastically. The nut 26, which is to be explained later on, formed as a passage opening 29, serves to move the aforementioned side walls 27, 28 towards one another as required, thus causing a bending of the torsion body 4 in the other than the aforementioned bending direction, ie opposite , Previously, the nut 25 must first be solved accordingly to provide sufficient Axialverstellmöglichkeit. It is preferred, regardless of the bending direction after a bending operation to avoid vibrations with the respectively opposite nut 24, 25 or 25, 24 countered.

As is clear from the Fig. 5 and 6 results, in addition to the recess 28, a recess 29 formed in an advantageous manner as a passage opening is provided, which is connected via a, an intermediate wall 30 passing through channel 31 with the recess 22. The recess 29 is dimensioned so that it can accommodate the nut 26 on the one hand and also the nut 26 can be rotated with a corresponding tool for bending the torsion 4. In the mounted state of the bending means 21, this channel 31 is penetrated by the threaded rod 23, wherein the intermediate wall 30 serves on the side of the recess 29 as an axial support surface for the nut 26, which projects laterally beyond the channel cross-section. In order to minimize the wear and to facilitate twistability of the nuts 24, 25, 26, each nut, 24, 25, 26 (screw elements) is associated with an optional threaded disc (without reference numeral), the respective threaded disc being disposed between the associated nut and a side wall 27, 28 and formed by the intermediate wall 30 inner wall or inside of the recess 29 is located. By relative rotation of the nuts 24, 25, 26, in the construction shown, in which the nut 26 is supported on the intermediate wall 30 in the recess 29, a tensile load on the intermediate wall 30 are applied, whereby a total of the torsion 4 in two opposite bending directions about the bending axis 20 is elastically bendable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Laserausrichtvorrichtung

2

holding means

3

alignment

4

torsion

5

clamping bodies

6

holding axis

7

laser beam direction

8th

inner thread

9

openings

10

first section

11

second part

12

third section

13

free end

14

recess

15

Tensile and pressure medium

16

screw

17

alignment axis

18

inner thread

19

fixer

20

bending axis

21

bending means

22

recess

23

threaded rod

24

mother

25

mother

26

mother

27

Side wall

28

Side wall

29

deepening

30

partition

31

channel

Claims (18)

1. Laser orientation device (1), comprising holding means (2) for holding a laser and orientation means (3) for adjusting the holding means (2), characterised in that the holding means (2) comprise a torsion body (4) and pulling and/or pushing means (15) by means of which at least two portions of the torsion body (4) can be deformed relative to one another by application of a force in such a way that the torsion body (4) can be twisted about an imaginary orientation axis (17).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pulling and/or pushing means (15) are arranged such that the holding means (2) can be displaced in parallel thereby.
3. Device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the torsion body (4) is formed in one piece, in particular from metal, preferably an aluminium alloy.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the orientation axis (17) extends at an angle, in particular at an angle of between 45° and 90°, preferably perpendicular, to a holding axis (6), determining a laser beam direction (7), of the holding means (2).
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pulling and/or pushing means (15) act on at least one of the portions outside a plane, preferably a plane of symmetry, containing the orientation axis (17).
6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pulling and/or pushing means (15) comprise at least one screw element (16) which can be screwed in a first thread of a first portion (10) of the portions and is supported on the second portion (11) of the portions for application of a compressive force, or which interacts with a second thread of the second portion (11) for application of a compressive or tensile force.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that at least two screw elements (16) which are spaced apart, preferably four screw elements (16) which are spaced apart (16), are provided.
8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that three, preferably parallel, portions (10, 11, 12) are provided.
9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the portions (10, 11, 12) are rigidly interconnected, preferably formed in one piece, and are spaced apart via at least one, preferably only one, preferably U-shaped recess (14).
10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding means (2) are formed in one piece with the torsion body (4) or can be immovably fixed thereto.
11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an in particular rod-shaped laser can be fixed and/or is fixed to the holding means.
12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that bending means (21), by means of which the torsion body (4) can be bent elastically about a bending axis (20) which extends at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the orientation axis (17), are associated with the torsion body (4).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the bending means (21) are arranged in a region axially between the pulling and/or pushing means and fixing means (19) for fixing the device.
14. Device according to either claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that the bending means (21) are arranged in a recess (22), at least in portions, and in that, in particular by means of at least one screw element (24, 25, 26), mutually opposing side walls (27, 28) of the recess (22) can be displaced towards one another and/or away from one another.
15. Use of a torsion body and pulling and/or pushing means to adjust a laser which is preferably held in holding means, wherein at least two portions of the torsion body can be displaced relative to one another by application of a force in such a way that torsion of the torsion body about an imaginary orientation axis results.
16. Method for adjusting a laser held in holding means (2) of a laser orientation device (1), preferably according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised by twisting a twist body (4) of the holding means (2) about an imaginary orientation axis (17) and thereby displacing a holding axis (6), determining a laser beam direction (7), of the holding means (2).
17. Method according to claim 16, characterised in that, by actuation of pulling and/or pushing means (15), the twist body (4) is twisted, preferably elastically, and held in the twisted state.
18. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that, by actuation of pulling and/or pushing means, two portions of the torsion body are deformed relative to one another, preferably elastically, and are held in the deformed state.

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